Veneers or Bonding: Which is Right for You?

Created on March 30, 2018

Many adults who visit their dentist are interested to know how they can achieve and maintain an attractive smile. There are several ways we can help our patients look and feel their best, starting with the personal dental care that addresses common issues in the mouth. Additionally, we look at ways to correct concerns using proven techniques such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding. Here, we go into more detail about these two treatments and what they can do to make the smile more appealing.

All about Veneers

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells that are made to cover the front surface of teeth. Through careful planning and fabrication, each veneer is made to replicate natural characteristics like shade and sheen (for that bright, shiny smile). When veneers are bonded to teeth, they can cover gaps, chips, spots, and other problems without the need for extensive reconstruction.

To makeover the smile using porcelain veneers, we need to schedule two office visits. The first phase of treatment is dedicated to preparing teeth for their new covering. This involves slight reduction (otherwise veneers would stick out away from the gums) and impression-taking. Then, the teeth are covered with temporary veneers. Final veneers are delivered to our office in approximately 10 days, at which time temporary veneers are replaced with the final product.

The primary advantage of porcelain veneers is that the results are incredibly natural. Porcelain is similarly translucent and shiny when setting against natural enamel. Furthermore, the bonding process of porcelain to enamel achieves lasting stability. Veneers can last decades with good care. The downside? Veneers are an investment, and teeth that have veneers will always need to be covered due to the slight reduction in enamel.

All about Bonding

Dental bonding is a direct veneer technique that is commonly used to repair small instances of damage, such as a chip or crack. This process is completed in a single office visit, so there is no wait time to see a radiant new smile. In addition to correcting damage, bonding may be used to disguise stains and spots, and to create more uniformity in the smile.

To bond a tooth or teeth, it is not necessary to reduce surface enamel. What is needed is slight etching to rough the surface enough to aid in the stability of the bond between composite resin and enamel. This material is soft and moldable when we first work with it, which allows us to shape it however we wish to perfect the appearance of a tooth. To finalize the procedure, light is used to cure or harden shaped resin on the tooth. After a quick polish, the bonded resin looks just like natural enamel.

The cost-effectiveness and convenience of the bonding process are advantageous. Dental bonding can address many of the same issues as veneers, though the best results of bonding usually coincide with smaller concerns, such as a chip or slight stain. The downside to bonding is that the resin material placed onto a tooth will not whiten. For this reason, we may suggest teeth whitening as an adjunct treatment.

Get full details on cosmetic dentistry services in our Springfield office at (413) 781-7645.